Dayton Society of Natural History: US/ICOMOS Internship

Joymore Matsikure
Mutare, Zimbabwe

completed a 2004 US/ICOMOS Internship with

Dayton Society of Natural History
Dayton, Ohio, USA

 

"My summer was spent doing both archaeological excavations and reconstructions at two Native American sites.  I also got a chance to visit the amusement park of Paramount King's Island.  Some of the roller coasters were indeed very scary and I had to close my eyes to feel better.  It was a day well spent."

Joymore Zimbabwe
2004 US/ICOMOS
Intern from Zimbabwe

Joymore spent her internship working on two archaeological sites dating to the Fort Ancient Culture in Ohio (ca. AD 1000 - AD 1650).  At the Wegerzyn site, Joymore participated in the excavation, surveying, and other forms of data collection and analysis, including the use of a geographic information system (GIS).  At SunWatch Archaeological Park, she assisted with the repair and maintenance of this reconstructed Fort Ancient Culture village, including harvesting trees for use as posts.

At SunWatch, Joymore noted and appreciated the similarities between the style and construction of the Fort Ancient structures and those of another 12th-century village in her home country of Zimbabwe.

"It was an interesting experience for me to realize how prehistoric events correlated in areas that were geographically unrelated.... At almost the same time in history the people responded in almost the same way by erecting similar housing structures.  The only difference is in the nature of materials used as a result of different environments.  Thus at SunWatch the Native Indians used prairie grass while the Shona in Zimbabwe used African grass."

Joymore also enjoyed the public involvement aspects of the work, as the Dayton Society of Natural History incorporates a variety of volunteer efforts, school and scout groups, and visitor services into their summer activities.

This internship was sponsored by the Dayton Society of Natural History
with additional support from private donors.

Top: Joymore assists with reconstruction efforts at SunWatch Village..
Bottom: Joymore with other team members. 

The US/ICOMOS International Intern Exchange Program is funded by a variety sources.  Each of the host organizations in the U.S. contribute funds that cover a substantial portion of the costs for interns from overseas.  Grants from private foundations and individual donors support the internships for U.S. preservationists traveling overseas, with additional support from some of the overseas host organizations.  The 2004 overseas internships were supported by the Dorothy-Ann Foundation, Marpat Foundation, Keepers Fund for Historic Preservation, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Trust for Mutual Understanding, and contributions from numerous individuals.